Health authorities are continuing to offer incentives for residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine as U.S. vaccination rates slow, requiring agencies to work harder to get shots in arms.
The latest efforts are lotteries in New York and Maryland for vaccinated residents, following a similar program in Ohio where vaccinated residents are eligible for $1 million prizes and college scholarships.
On Thursday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo introduced the $5 million “Vax and Scratch” program, which offers lottery scratch tickets to anyone who gets a COVID-19 vaccine at select state-run vaccination sites next week.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan also announced a “$2 million Vax Cash promotion”. Every Marylander 18 and over who gets vaccinated will be entered into a daily drawing to win $40,000 from the Maryland State Lottery — culminating in a $400,000 drawing on July 4.
“If you’ve not been vaccinated yet, the sooner you do so, the sooner you get your shot, the more lottery drawings you will be eligible for,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, the University of Virginia is joining a growing list of universities requiring vaccinations. At least 389 colleges across that country have required vaccinations for at least some students or faculty, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Students will be required to provide proof of vaccination by July 1 but can request medical or religious exemption to the requirement, according to a Thursday statement.
Vaccination for employees is “strongly…
